The Gift of Volunteering at Waikato Hospital

For
27-year-old Patrick Wu, volunteering is all about giving
back to the community and meeting new people.

These are
the main reasons he decided to become a Waikato Hospital
volunteer in March this year, but are not the only benefits
he has gained in his time providing service.

Volunteering
in the Pre-Admission Clinic at Waikato Hospital every week
for three-hour shifts, while there, Patrick can be found in
the clinic office helping out with office tasks.

Patrick
said another reason he decided to take up volunteer work was
to get some experience in a professional setting, as he is
currently a third year student studying a Bachelor of
Business Analysis majoring in Accounting, at the University
of Waikato.

Despite a busy tertiary study schedule and a
part-time job at Sky City to help him get by, Patrick said
he wouldn’t want to give up his volunteering role.

“I
would recommend volunteering to anyone. I really enjoy the
support I receive from the other staff and volunteers at the
hospital and learning new things,” he
said.

“Volunteering has given me a chance to improve
myself and meet new people.”

This week is National
Volunteer Awareness Week (June 15-23) and Waikato District
Health Board is taking the chance to formally acknowledge
and show appreciation for the volunteers who work tirelessly
in its hospitals and healthcare services.

Volunteers’
coordinator Chris Atkinson has invited the organisation’s
215 volunteers to a get together on Friday 20 June, to find
out more about the hospital and celebrate each other’s
achievements.

Mrs Atkinson said the get together was an
opportunity to thank the volunteers for the contribution
they have made to Waikato DHB this year through the gift of
voluntary service.

“Our patients, visitors and staff
have benefited immensely from the time, personal skills,
energy and commitment these people have brought to our
organisation in 2014.”

In addition to presentations by
different areas of the hospital, the volunteers will get
together for a team photo and seven volunteers will receive
service badges for five years, four staff for 10 years, two
staff for 15 years, and two staff will receive 20-year
service badges for their volunteering
roles.

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